Sermon preached at Grace United Reformed Church

Sermon preached at Grace United Reformed Church

Summary -Having celebrated the birth of our Savior Jesus the Messiah, we turn our hearts and minds to his circumcision. What is it-- Why was he circumcised-- How does his circumcision benefit us-- Let's listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...--Introduction- The old year, new year, and Christ's circumcision--WHAT WAS CIRCUMCISION-- -GEN. 17-1-14--- The Lord's covenant-- Abraham's response--WHY WAS JESUS CIRCUMCISED-- -LUKE 2-21--- As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus was obligated to be circumcised like all other faithful Israelites -Gen. 17-12--- As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus underwent circumcision not for himself, but for that of sinners -Deut. 10, 30- Jer. 4-4--- As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus underwent circumcision to redeem sinners -Gal. 4-4---HOW DOES JESUS' CIRCUMCISION BENEFIT A SINNER LIKE YOU---- For our justification...-- For our assurance...-- For our sanctification...--Conclusion

SummaryThis evening, we focus our minds and hearts on Paul's meaningful and memorable statement that we as God's children are led by the Holy Spirit. Let's listen in to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...The Spirit Guides the Children of GodThe Children of God Have Received Divine Sonship by the SpiritThe Spirit Confirms the Children of GodChildren of God, Heirs of God by the Spirit

Summary Having celebrated the birth of our Savior Jesus the Messiah, we turn our hearts and minds to his circumcision. What is it? Why was he circumcised? How does his circumcision benefit us? Let's listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...Introduction: The old year, new year, and Christ's circumcisionWHAT WAS CIRCUMCISION? (GEN. 17:1–14)• The Lord's covenant• Abraham's responseWHY WAS JESUS CIRCUMCISED? (LUKE 2:21)• As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus was obligated to be circumcised like all other faithful Israelites (Gen. 17:12)• As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus underwent circumcision not for himself, but for that of sinners (Deut. 10, 30; Jer. 4:4)• As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus underwent circumcision to redeem sinners (Gal. 4:4)HOW DOES JESUS' CIRCUMCISION BENEFIT A SINNER LIKE YOU?• For our justification...• For our assurance...• For our sanctification...Conclusion

Summary-We conclude an Advent series -Living in the Light of Advent- with John's breathtaking opening to his Gospel. We move from before -in the beginning- -such a mind-blowing thought-- to the beginning, and finally to the end of all things- loving, knowing, and fellowshipping with God for eternity. Let's listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...--Introduction- The beginning and the end - our beginning and end--THE GOSPEL BEFORE THE GOSPEL -Genesis - the Gospel-The -Word---THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL -The Witness-The Light--THE REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL -The Word became Flesh-o We have seen his glory-o We have received grace-o We have the Father explained--Conclusion- Begin your End-

SummaryWe conclude an Advent series "Living in the Light of Advent" with John's breathtaking opening to his Gospel. We move from before "in the beginning" (such a mind-blowing thought!) to the beginning, and finally to the end of all things: loving, knowing, and fellowshipping with God for eternity. Let's listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...Introduction: The beginning and the end & our beginning and endTHE GOSPEL BEFORE THE GOSPEL Genesis & the GospelThe "Word"THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL The WitnessThe LightTHE REVELATION OF THE GOSPEL The Word became Flesho We have seen his gloryo We have received graceo We have the Father explainedConclusion: Begin your End!

We conclude --- a year through what we believe as Christians using the Heidelberg Catechism.-This evening, we end in its third part on our grateful response to God's grace delivering us from our guilt.--In the Lord's Prayer, we learn that we were made for communion with God. In its sixth petition, we ask God to made us strong in the spiritual warfare around us and with us. We also give him glory and declare our -Amen- to our prayer. Let's listen in to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...-Introduction-- -Lead us not into temptation... -Q-A 127--- For yours is the kingdom... -Q-A 128---Amen -Q-A 129---Conclusion-

Summary-We continue an Advent series -Living in the Light of Advent- with Peter's exhortation to remember what Scripture says about false teachers in the last days. In response, we are to be growing in godliness and the grace of the Lord while we await our his second Advent to bring the New Heavens and New Earth. Let's listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us today...--Introduction- Advent's backward-looking faith - forward-looking hope--KNOW THE SCOFFING OF ENEMIES -VV. 3-7--- Their underlying desires -v. 3--- Their scoff -v. 4--- Their willful forgetfulness -vv. 5-7--o About the past-o About the future--KNOW THE CHARACTER OF THE LORD -VV. 8-10--- An illustration about time -v. 8--- The Lord's patience -v. 9-- o Towards his people- o Towards all people-- The Lord's judgment -v. 10---KNOW WHO YOU ARE TO BE -VV. 11-18- -- Growing-o ...in grace-o ...in knowledge-o ...in holiness - godliness-- Waiting-o For the coming day of God-Lord-o For the new heavens and new earth--Conclusion-